Improvement in photograph-albums



.l. C. ARMS.

Photograph-Album.

No. 164349; v Patgntedlune 8,1875.

THE GRAPHIC COJNDTDLITN-SQkM PARK PLAGLNX.

. UNITED STATES JAMES C. ARMS, OF NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT m PHo'roe'R AH-ALBuMs.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 164,249, dated June 8,1875; application filed April 14, 1875.

To all whom "it may concern:

Be it known that I, J. O. ARMS, of Northampton, in the county of Hampshire and State of Massachusetts, haveinvented certain Improvements in Photographic Cases, of which the following is a specification:

My invention consists of certain improvements in photographic cases, whereby they are adapted for use in the pocket, and also in a novel mode of constructing the frames or picture-holders, all as hereinafter more fully described.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pocket photograph-case, embodying my improve-- ments. Figs. 2 and 3 are transverse sectional views, showing the manner of connecting the frames; and Fig. 4 is a vertical section of a frame detached.

Heretofore photograph cases have been made of various styles and forms, but usually in the form of books, of large size, intended to lie on tables in rooms.

One object of my invention is to make a case resembling a pocket-book in style, so it can be readily carried in the pocket, and also to improve their construction, as relates to the manner of forming and uniting the frames or pockets which'are to hold the pictures.

In constructing a case'on my plan, I first provide a series of the frames, A, which consists of two pieces of stiff paper, having circular or other openings in them of proper size to show the picture. The two pieces 0 O are placed one upon the other, with a space between them, as shown in Fig. 4,, their upper and lower ends being slightly crimped or bent, as shown, so that while they touch at the ends there will be left between them a space of the proper size to permit the pictures to be inserted between them'. 1 then provide a narrow strip of thin metal, 0, which is bent or folded along its center lengthwise, and place it over one of the ends, after which it is compressed, thus firmly uniting the ends of the two sheets 0, as shown in Fig. 4,, a similar strip being in like manner secured to the opposite end. By this means the two sheets are firmly fastened together at top and bottom, while at the same time their edges are protected from wear or injury, the metal binding also being ornamental.

These frames A, thus made, may be united in such. a manner as to be spread out in a continuous row, as represented in Fig. 1; or they may be fastened together, so as to open like the leaves of a book.

When it is desired to arrange them in the style shown in Fig. 1, the frames A are united to each other, at their adjoining edges, by strips of cloth, 6, which are inserted between the sheets 0, as represented in Fig. 2, they being either loose enough to permit the frames to be folded over either way, or so as to cause them to fold alternately back and forth, on one side only, as may be preferred.

When it is desired to unite the frames, so

as to open like the leaves of a book, the strips e of cloth are attached as represented in Fig. 3, thus connecting the frames at their rear edges only. Any desired number of the frames A may be thus united, the outer strips 6 serving to attach them to the covers, after the manner of a spring-back book.

The cloth strips 0 are inserted before the metal binding is put on, so that when the latter is compressed it serves to hold the strips 0 securely in place, and thus renders the whole much stronger and more durable than when secured by paste alone.

Any style of cover may be used, either stiff or flexible, the latter being preferable for pocket use; and they may he provided with a tuck, as shown in Fig. 1, or with any style of clasp or fastening that may be preferred.

This manner of constructing the frames is equally well adapted to the larger sized cases; and it is obvious that they may be so formed as to have several pictures in one frame. One great advantge of this construction is that the frames may be made of thinner and lighter material, thus enabling a greater number of pictures to be put in a case of a given thickness.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is -1. The frames A for photographic cases,

FFI.

consisting of the sheets 0 O, crimped at their ends, and united substantially as shown and described.

2. A photograph frame or holder, composed of two sheets, 0 0, having openings for the picture to show through, in combination with the metal strips 0 applied to their ends, sub stantially as described.

3. A photograph-case composed of a series of frames or holders, A, composed of the sheets O O, united by the metal strips 0, said frames being united and provided with a cover as set forth.

JAMES C. ARMS.

Witnesses:

WM. G. MoINTYRE, G. F. HYDE. 

